Vehicle glossary

Here at Northgate, we have compiled this comprehensive vehicle glossary to that you can easily understand all the terminology thrown around in the automotive industry. Get in touch if there any terms you come across which we haven't covered in the list below.

A

ABSAlso known as an Anti-Lock Braking System, this feature prevents brakes from locking up when a driver brakes heavily. In effect, the vehicle will come to a halt in the shortest time possible but the driver will still maintain full control of the steering.

Adaptive Cruise ControlOperated using a laser or radar sensing system, this technology works to automatically slow or bring a vehicle to a halt in order to prevent front-end collisions.

Additional DriversThese are any other individuals who will be operating the vehicle that has been hired other than the person who has made the reservation. Hire companies should be made aware of all additional drivers.

AerodynamicVehicles which are aerodynamic stand out for being able to offer increased performance and reduce wind noise while in transit.

Aftermarket AccessoryAftermarket accessories will not come with the vehicle as standard but can be purchased and installed after the vehicle has been manufactured.

AirbagsAirbags will be deployed in the event of a major impact, with the cushions instantly filling with air and working to reduce the chances of a vehicle’s occupants making contact with any of the interior surfaces.

Air BrakesOperated by compressed air, air brakes are common on heavy-duty trucks.

Air Conditioning (AC/Air Con)A vehicle’s air conditioning system will use a chilled air flow in order to quickly cool the cabin.

Alloy WheelsThis is the term for any roadworthy wheel that is made of anything other than steel. Aluminium is a common type of alloy wheel.

All-Season TyresThese types of tyres are able to deliver appropriate traction when driving a vehicle through snow, but refrain from wearing too quickly once used on dry roads.

AlternatorIn order to charge a vehicle's battery, the alternator will convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Anti-Roll BarThis steel rod or tube will be found connected to a vehicle suspension system and works to rest a vehicle from rolling or swaying. As a result, they are ideal for improving the handling of a vehicle.

A-PillarThis vertical roof support can be found between the windshield of a vehicle and the front edge of the front side window.

Application FeeThis will be an initial fee that will be payable once you’ve signed a finance agreement. It’s often levied by a finance company.

APRShort for Annual Percentage Rate, this is the true rate of interest that you will pay on a finance agreement.

Auxiliary Input (Audio)This enables a peripheral media player to become connected to a vehicle’s entertainment system.

AWDShort for all-wheel drive, these types of vehicles sees power being provided to all four wheels of the vehicle.

B

B-PillarUsually found between the front and rear doors of many vehicles, the B-pillar is important for being a vertical roof support structure.

Balloon PaymentAt the end of a finance agreement, a final payment may be required. This is known as a balloon payment.

Barn DoorsThese are large rear doors found on a van which open outwards from the vehicle.

Base PriceThis is the price of a vehicle ahead of any options, destination fee, dealer advertising fee or any other costs are added.

Bed Length MeasurementThis is the length of the inside of a pickup truck’s cargo box, with the measurement going from the front wall to the face of the closed tailgate.

Blind SpotThis is an area behind and to both sides of a vehicle that drivers can find hard to see when only using their side or rear-view mirrors.

Body StyleA body style of a vehicle relates to the type of exterior shell or shape that it has been designed with. Examples include hatchback and coupe.

BulkheadThis is the partition which is found between the load area of a van and its cab. There are various setups of bulkheads, including grille/mesh fitted, half-height, full-height and windowed.

C

CabinThis is the area of a van where the driver and passengers sit.

Cancellation Waiver ProtectionAlso known as CWP, take this out to protect against paying a cancellation charge that some companies will levy if you cancel your vehicle hire within 24-hours of collection.

Central Locking SystemThis system applies to vehicles with power door locks and will lock or unlock all doors at once.

ClutchA component of the vehicle’s drivetrain, the clutch is found between the engine and transmission and is used to both engage and disengage the transmission from the engine whenever a shift in gears occurs.

CO2 EmissionsThe amount of carbon dioxide pollution that is expelled from a vehicle’s exhaust pipe, measured in grams per kilometre.

Collision Damage InsuranceTake out this insurance to see your liability for damaged caused to the rental vehicle being relinquished in the event that it is involved in a collision. Such a waiver is limited to a certain amount and usually excludes glass, any form of towing and tyres.

Collision Damage WaiverAn optional charge that can be paid daily or weekly, which results in your excess contribution being reduced in the event of an accident on the road.

Contract HireThis type of financial agreement will see you hire a van for a specific amount of time and then return it to the dealership at the end of this period.

Cruise ControlThis device enables the driver to set a vehicle to travel at a chosen speed.

CylinderOne of a series of chambers found in a vehicle’s engine where the process of combustion is able to take place.

D

Daytime Running LightsThese are lights which switch on whenever a vehicle is running.

DepreciationThis is the reduction of a vehicle’s value as a result of its age, condition and mileage.

Down-PaymentThis is a lump sum that can be put down at the start of a vehicle hire in order to reduce the monthly costs.

DrivetrainThe components of a vehicle that enables it to move forward and backward.

E

Electronic Brake AssistAlso known as EBA, this presents a van with extra brake pressure so that it can stop in the shortest distance possible in the event of an emergency.

Electronic Stability ProgrammeAlso known as ESP, this technology works to prevent a driver from losing control of their vehicle by stopping a skid from occurring.

Eligibility RequirementsEligibility requirements account for certain criteria which a person must meet in order to be able to hire a vehicle.

EquityThis is the value of a used vehicle that is remaining after subtracting the outstanding loan balance from its market value.

Excess MileageThis is any mileage that is above the amount that had been agreed when setting up the vehicle hire contract.

F

Factory StandardThis is the basic design and the options which make up an entry-level vehicle.

FrailsThese can provide a vehicle with an additional rack in the event that they are fitted to the side of the vehicle.

G

GrilleAn important feature of the front of a vehicle as it enables air to reach the radiator.

Gross Train WeightAlso known as GTW, this is the maximum weight allowed for both the vehicle and any trailer that is being towed — loads included.

Gross Vehicle WeightAlso known as GVW, this is the maximum weight allowed when the fuel, driver, passengers and any load being carried is measured.

Ground ClearanceThis is a measurement of distance between the ground and the lowest point of a vehicle’s chassis.

Guaranteed Minimum Future ValueAlso known as GMFV or the Optional Final Payment, this is the amount that a vehicle will be worth once a vehicle hire period comes to an end. It is a protection against any potential drop in used vehicle values.

H

Handling FeesThis is a small charge that might be presented to cover for paperwork and processing.

Hire PurchaseAlso known as HP, this type of payment allows someone to purchase a vehicle but then cover the costs in a series of regular installments. They are able to use the vehicle during this period of payment.

L

Load SpaceThe amount of space that is available for carrying goods within a vehicle.

Load WidthThe width of the space available for carrying goods within a vehicle. There are two measurements usually given for load width:

The minimum load width — this is the distance between the vehicle’s wheel arches.

The maximum load width — this is the distance between the vehicle’s walls.

M

Manufacturers Recommended Price Residual ValueAlso known as MRP, this is a prediction of a vehicle’s value when an agreement comes to an end. It is often estimated at the beginning of a vehicle hire agreement.

O

Optional ExtrasThese are additional items which can be added to a vehicle that you hire.

P

Payload CapacityThis is the maximum weight of goods that a vehicle can transport.

Personal Contract PurchaseAlso known as PCP, this type of vehicle hire allows a customer to drive a vehicle by paying a set amount each month over a fixed term. At the end of the agreement, the customer can decide to either purchase the vehicle for a previously agreed total cost or return the vehicle to the dealership.

Ply LiningWhen a vehicle is manufactured with built-in plywood features — shelving, for example — it will be detailed as having ply lining.

Power Assisted SteeringAlso known as PAS, this system assists in the steering of a vehicle so to make it easier to maneuver.

R

Residual ValueThis is the value of a vehicle at the conclusion of a set period of time.

Roller DoorsThese are doors fitted to a vehicle which slide vertically.

S

Service, Maintenance & RepairAlso known as SMR, this type of package covers all of the mechanical and technical attention required by a fleet vehicle. Routine servicing, replacement tyres and unexpected repairs all often fall under this banner.

Side-Loading DoorsThese are sliding doors which are specifically fitted to the side of a vehicle.

SuspensionA vehicle’s suspension system works to suspend the frame, body and engine above the wheels. It is made up of dampers, hydraulics, links, roll bars, shock absorbers, sprints, struts and wishbones.

T

TailgateThis panel is found at the rear of most vans and work to prevent goods from falling out of the back of the vehicle’s load area. A tailgate can be hinged at either the bottom or the top of the vehicle.

Tail LiftA common feature of Luton vans, a tail lift is a hydraulic platform which is used in order to carry goods from the ground to the height of the load area.

Turning CircleThis is the smallest circular turn that a vehicle is able to make. A turning circle can be measured between walls (using the letter ‘w’) or kerb-to-kerb (using the letter ‘k’).

W

WheelbaseThis is the distance measured between the centre of a vehicle’s front wheel and the centre of its rear wheel.

Whole Life CostAlso known as WLC, this is the total cost that will be incurred in order to run a vehicle over a defined period of time. Deprecation, fuel and servicing are all covered within this figure.

With MaintenanceWhen this is included in a finance agreement, it means that repairs, servicing and tyre replacement are all covered.